Hi All,

 

New user here. My son and I just installed a new water pump in his 1995 Legacy Outback. He was a little over zealous in tightening the lower left side bolt which is located beside the neck for the lower radiator hose.

 

At this point, I think we are stuck with just finishing the job. Just wondering if anyone has broken one off when installing a water pump.

 

Thanks

 

Don 

Anybody that has done DIY has probably at some point made this mistake. With any luck when you take the pump back off there will be an edge of the bolt that a chisel or a punch might be able to grab and you can slowly twist it back out...you may even can use a magnet and twist it counter clockwise to get it to back out. The bolts usually are not designed to bottom out in the hole. Once snapped off will usually rotate freely grabbing the remains for rotation is the challenge.

The bolt didn't break off because it was seized.  Chances are good you can back it out with some left hand drill bits.

Gaskets won't seal with that bolt broken.

Pull the pump off. If there's enough bolt left to grab with a pair of pliers do that. If its flush with the block mating surface, you should be able to get a dremel with a cutoff wheel in there and grind a shallow notch in the center of the bolt. Use a narrow flat screwdriver to turn the bolt out. Just be very careful not to marr the gasket mating surface.

Thanks for the info. I'll take the pump back off and see if I can get it out. 

Torque specs are there for a reason.

Torque specs are there for a reason.

 

Agreed ... we had that talk after it was too late. 

 

Which brings up the question of where to find them. Anyone know of a site which may have them? 

 

We have the Haynes manual for the car, but no mention of torque specs for the water pump bolts.

Agreed ... we had that talk after it was too late. 

 

Which brings up the question of where to find them. Anyone know of a site which may have them? 

 

We have the Haynes manual for the car, but no mention of torque specs for the water pump bolts.

 

found this with a quick google ...

 

http://www.torkspec.com/torkspecme.aspx?KI=40-2.0L-122ci-F4

 

I'm betting most are in this range.

Those teeny bolts are about 5 ft lbs. Snug is tight enough.

Also, be sure you use an original Subaru gasket. Its a rubber coated metal gasket. Easier to install and you know when it has enough torque because the gasket crushes in a way that you can feel when you tighten the bolts. Paper gaskets will deteriorate and leak sometimes in less than a year.

Factory Service Manuals have all those details, like torque and more, if you ever come across a set, or find a downloadable one, it's worth it.

try here: http://sl-i.net/FORUM/showthread.php?18087-Subaru-Factory-Service-Manuals-%28FSM%29-Every-Model-USDM-EU

heartless ...

Thanks for the link. 

 

Sooberoo ...

Getting a OEM gasket from dealer tomorrow.

 

I got the broken bit if the bolt out tonight. Once I looked, it was sticking out just like you guys said. Took less than 5 mins to get out. We are back on track again with the repairs. 

 

Thanks All!